Report: Ireland’s role ultimately sent Fisher to St. Louis

Dolphins G.M. Jeff Ireland wasn’t a particularly popular figure in Miami heading into this offseason. The events of the last few weeks won’t change things.

The Dolphins went hard after Jeff Fisher, but they ultimately couldn’t close the deal because of Ireland’s presence.

Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports writes that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wouldn’t budge on Ireland’s control over the 53-man roster.

“This was Miami’s game to lose, and Ross decided he wanted his current G.M. to retain his current level of power. So the Rams got their man,” Silver said. “Fisher was willing to meet halfway on personnel control, but Ross wouldn’t budge. He’s an Ireland man.”

Perhaps this is Fisher’s view of things and the Dolphins would disagree. Right or wrong, the Dolphins are going to be Ireland men for a little while. It’s time for Ireland to deliver the next Don Shula to coach those Ireland men.

So who might that coach be?

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that there is no favorite for the job now. The Dolphins are expected to expand their search after already interviewing interim head coach Todd Bowles, Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Bears special teams coach Dave Toub.

So you’re saying that the deciding factor for Fisher came down to his control over personnel? Fisher thinks he has a better chance of winning if he is able to control personnel. So Shefter was right the entire time and Fisher was just evaluating his chances of winning on not creating leverage for additional compensation? Thought so, and you wrote 4 useless stories about his “leverage game” that you made up while at the same time bashing Shefter. Then you went on to write another story saying the “Miami felt used” which was based entirely on one persons tweet who only had 13000 followers. Sounds like Fisher legitimately had interest in Miami and you wrote at least 4 B.S articles because you had some sort of beef with Shefter.

In November I was laughing at the prospect of Brian Billick becoming Miami’s head coach. Now I think Miami would be fortunate to land him. This just underscores how much of a joke it is that Ireland is still there.

This is the main issue with Ireland. He comes off as a back-stabbing arrogant “suit” with little respect or tact and that makes it hard for a top-shelf coach to commit. His player acquisitions have not been as bad as many seem to think although the cowboys retreads have been quite puzzling and predictably ineffective.

I still think Billick would be a good choice as long as he could coexist with Ireland since it seems Ross is adamant about keeping him. maybe Ross should set it up that Ireland and the coach share the responsibilities with Ross himself “breaking the tie” as necessary. Contrary to popular belief, the team has the talent to win a bunch of games next year. Find a good coach with a similar vision and get the hire done.

Possible candidates: Billick, Bowles, Zimmerman, Chudzinski, Grimm, Cowher (everybody has a price), Marty Schottenheimer, Gruden. Here’s a thought…get some input from Shula. The key is to find the right guy for the team, not to “make a splash” and somehow seem more respectable. Fix the team, Mr. Ross and the respect (and fans) will come in due time.

I don’t have a problem with this. Fisher is nothing more than a historical 500 coach and because he was the “name” that was available we went for it, didn’t get it, big deal. I agree that getting a hungry young Shula is the way to go, now lets see if the faith put in Ireland pays off. Someone mentioned the the Oregon coach, he’s worth the cost of a phone call. Should be interesting what follows.

Let’s not forget this is Parcells mess and then he bailed. The Big Tuna , LOL!!! More like the Big Blowfish !!! He sits there on TV like the big genius.. My favorite flower , the blooming idiot !!!No one in the media has the courage to press him on this issue, what gives ? Ireland has done a fair job after The Blowfish ran!!!!!

I’ll ask again: What is everyones deal with Ireland? I’ve yet to hear any reasonable reasons for all the dislike the gets (despite asking this same question a few times here).

I’ll throw a few random facts out here:
1. This was Ireland’s first year truly in control. In fact, I believe that the NFL should have been looking into his hiring as GM. He was GM of the Cowboys and was allowed to switch laterally in 2008 because he would have “final say”. This is false as Parcells was running the show and everyone who has paid attention knows this.
2. The team started out 0-7. Sparano changes everything about preparation at this point, the team finishes 6-10. I view this as proof of the team underperforming due to coaching. In other words talent is there (Ireland).

I think that the owner is smart enough to see that Ireland is not at fault for the last 2 seasons. Let’s see if he’s smart enough to get a young OC that’s ready for the next level.

There’s no question about Ross. He’s one of those “image is everything” guys and thinks the celebrities he brings to the stadium every week will put people in the seats. He’s wrong, of course, but you can’t tell him that. He’s probably still telling people Gator Day was a success but if you were there {as I was — season tickets} you know they were cheering for Tebow as he was beating the home team in overtime. Even the Dolphins players hated it.

Ireland is a different story. I thought all along he had to go but when I look at his 2011 draft, the first one he did without Parcells, six of the seven players drafted finished the year on the team. And the 7th player was signed off the practice squad by Carolina and he played most of the 2nd half of the season. The 2012 draft will really let us know what kind of GM Ireland is, especially if he manages to uncover a QB.

I have no problem with Ross choosing Ireland over Fisher. There are other coaches out there. I don’t think a coach will increase attendance but Rob Chudzinski and Winston Moss both played for the University of Miami and that can’t hurt. I just wish Ross would keep his mouth shut and let the football people do the football stuff.

And no more disasters like Gator Day. Another one like that and I’m kissing my season tickets goodbye.

Hue Jackson is coming to Miami???? I hope so. Maybe he can turn Bush’s second half production to a Full Season 100yrd/game 2500yrd total yds season…. and train Rookie Thomas into a Beast…. Now that Moore has proven that he can throw the ball and Reggie has proven he is for real since leaving USC….

Ross has to make up his mind. Now that he has backed Ireland he should let Ireland select the next coach. The management team can then sink or swim together and stop the finger pointing and ridiculous blame game that seems to surround this franchise.

Although I can’t stand the fact that Ross would pass up any experienced coach merely based on wanting Ireland to maintain full personnel powers…..

Ireland basically had 2011 as his first ‘non-Parcells’ draft. I would say that both Edmond Gates (speed), and Charles Clay are both promising picks, not to mention Mike Pouncy at centre (although seemingly an obvious 1st round pick).

And what about the season (at least 2nd half) that Reggie Bush had? Sure there are plenty of haters and Bush needs to be good all year long in 2012, but he did set some personal bests and was a huge part of Miami going 6-3 in their last 9 games. Ireland made that deal to bring Bush to Miami and I wouldn’t say that was a mistake at all.

Matt Moore is another Ireland decision…again I would say that Moore has a whole lot more to prove and may not last as a starting QB…unless he continues to play like he did through the 2nd half. Moore has built a good tandem with Brandon Marshall.

Now I’m not big on Ireland and he’s got a lot to prove yet, but let’s keep in mind that he’s only had 2011 to have full personnel decision powers and he has made some positive additions, so let’s see what else he can stir up before putting so much heat on him. It seems to me the bulk of our issues in Miami start with Ross. Less hollywood, less free helicopter tours…. more football and a winning mind set.

Since Parcells left the organization Ireland has produced; Reggie Bush a 1000 yd. rusher, Matt Moore the #12 rated passer in the NFL were both free agents. The draft brought in a starting center Pouncey and others who produced as rookies. With Parcells’ heavy handed influence there were many failures; Chad Henne is not a franchise QB, Pat White will never be a QB in the NFL and others. Parcells is the executive that did not perform in his role as head of talent acquisition.

The fact that Fisher knew he had to face Belichick and Ryan twice a year scared the heck out of this dweeb. We all know that Miami has more talent than the Rams, but are in a weaker division. He feels with several years of mediocracy (7-9 or 8-8) , can buy him another 17 years in the league with the Rams.

If he had went to Miami, they are expected to win now, but not the lowly Rams, they are at least a 3-4 year project.

I’ll be the first to admit that my hatred for Ireland is irrational, BUT, he’s getting too much credit for Moore and Bush.

Moore was brought in and never given a chance to compete with Henne. They had to run that experiment in to the ground and Moore only played because Henne got hurt. Moore playing well was an accident. Moore begins the season as the starter and who knows where Miami ends up.

Same with Bush. No problem giving up a low pick to acquire Bush, BUT, 1). why not just sign Sproles as FA or 2), if Ireland knew Bush was the every down back, he would not have traded up to get Thomas in the second round. Bush proved his value out of necessity because Thomas was always hurt (and sucks) and an awful second round pick by Ireland.

To me… that’s amazing… 27 draft picks still in the league, and contributing over a four year period. There’s literally nothing in Dolphins history which compares, unless it would be a period of 67 through 71… when the draft was 17 rounds long BTW.

He’s executed two major trades in those four years…

Brandon Marshall
Reggie Bush

both of which were 1000 yard + contributors this year.

The free agency acquisitions haven’t been as good (with alot of misses)… but there have been success’s there as well: